Re: A Serbian Film

I've been meaning to do an in-depth overview and pontification on this film but I've read most of the people's reactions to it around here and have held back just knowing I'd be dragged through the mud for championing it in certain ways. I love to be in opposition of popular opinion and to debate, but I don't think there's too much room for changing anyone's views on this one so I might save those pontifications for my blogspot just for posterity's sake. LOL

Re: A Serbian Film

deadhorse13 wrote:

suspiria states in another thread:'All of the post on this page just made me realize that the makers of A Serbian Film have accomplished their goal. Which was to disturb and sicken. A job well done if you ask me.'

yes. I think this statement applies to this thread as well LOL

I've seen the film twice and will probably come around to it again at some point.I don't think there should be any censorship when it comes to someone's artictic vision no matter how warped or depraved it may seem as long as noone was harmed in the making of it - and for this fact alone I applaud it. What you see is horrific and the outcome is horrific - it's a penultimate horror film IMO. I don't like my movies safe - and there is nothing safe in this film and that's why I give it a certain amount of respect.

Re: A Serbian Film

deadhorse13 wrote:

I've been meaning to do an in-depth overview and pontification on this film but I've read most of the people's reactions to it around here and have held back just knowing I'd be dragged through the mud for championing it in certain ways. I love to be in opposition of popular opinion and to debate, but I don't think there's too much room for changing anyone's views on this one so I might save those pontifications for my blogspot just for posterity's sake. LOL

To me, someone had the gall to make the movie and I will always respect filmmakers in that respect. All the hard work they put into movies, they deserved to be watched at least once. Regrettably, a lot of the reviews, mine included (if i remember properly) talk people out of seeing the movie. They think that by watching it they're support child porn or something like that. It's a movie that's gonna be talked about for a long time. I'm sure the same thing was said about Cannibal Holocaust years ago.

Re: A Serbian Film

it's very curious to me that 'hardcore horror enthusiasts' are so quick to draw lines in the sand as to what should be acceptable to depict on screen. I realize that the rape or abuse of children is a sick thing - but so is senseless killing of any kind and that runs rampant in all forms within the genre. I do believe the film should hold a disclaimer proclaiming that there are scenes involving children they may seem unsuitable or disturbing to some audiences and let it be left to the viewer to decide if they want to watch it or not. It's not the first film to come along to shine a light on these types of unsavory events - I just think it's one of the bluntest.

Re: A Serbian Film

I think that the movie shines light on those fetishes that are in the deepest darkest parts of the internet. Just like how Hostel actually happens (pay sites where you can pay money to watch people raped, tortured and killed), there are ways for newborn porn and of course, child porn. This is a movie that we need to take and analyze as a society. That the things we used to find provocative and disturbing are things in our daily lives now. Child porn is obviously a huge problem as in the news every day is someone being busted for it, but the rest are so deep and hidden, often light isn't shined on them. Maybe movies like this will speak to those of society and let them know we know what's going on. Will we grow from up? Will we learn from it? Who knows. Just shining light on something like this maybe helps us realize that the little things we argue about are often overshadowed by darker, more sinister things.

Re: A Serbian Film

This is a movie that we need to take and analyze as a society

well again, here in A Serbian Film the filmmakers were brave enough (or sick enough, if you must) to go 'there'. I think it reinforces similar points that were made in the past from films like Videodrome, Natural Born Killers, Man Bites Dog, Funny Games and the like. To question what is art/entertainment and society's unfortunate penchant for taking them to extremes that blur any rationale whatsoever. I believe A Serbian Film purposefully manipulates you into questioning yourself no matter how progressive or open-minded you may think you are. Great job.

EDIT: GARDEN GIVES A HUGE SPOILER IN HIS NEXT POST - JUST SO'S YOU KNOW!

Re: A Serbian Film

A Serbian film actually did something to me that not many horror movies do. In horror movies, we all put ourselves on the edge of our seats imagining what it would be like to be chased by the antagonist. However, this movie put me in the seat of, what I call him, Boner Man. I started thinking "what if I had to do this". "What if I were tricked into having sex with my son". Like it was horrible thinking about, but it was unavoidable.

I think if you remember Oldboy, similar happened when he had sex with his sister and cut his tongue out. What would you do in that situation? This movie does accomplish, possibly more than intended, but I think a convo like this would certainly help it. Bill, kudos for keeping up with my six speed mind!!

Re: A Serbian Film

great point and that's what I mean by saying that you are almost forced to question yourself after watching it. Both in respect to identifying or finding any sympathy for the character - which I personally did - and also in respect to the fact that you will question if movies like this should be allowed to be made at all. Whether you liked it or hated it, I think that if you were compelled enough to watch it to the end then the obvious answer is a resounding yes. Does that make sense? I hope so.

Re: A Serbian Film

Even movies I consider absolutely garbage I will watch until the end just out of nothing but respect for the film industry. I think people questioning this movie should read our conversation because, if you haven't noticed, as this has progressed, I have been more and more open to the idea of the movie. My review pleads with people not to watch it, and that it's crap. Anyone making a horror movie with a political agenda in mind bothers me but this conversation.....I dont hate it as much. I would change my review to give this a few more stars in total.

Re: A Serbian Film

I've actually avoided reviews of it in anticipation of doing my own article on it and films of a similar nature. I think there is enough substance here, no matter how vile you may deem it, to warrant it as a film worth viewing at least once.

Re: A Serbian Film

There are just some things that don't sit right with me. I agree with a lot of aspects of a film like this. Especially pushing the boundaries with graphic violence. But raping babies? C'mon. I love a twisted mind, a director who wants to make something innovative. But this hedonistic director seems more interested in politics, than film. It saddens me that this was the only way he could get adulation. I'm not questioning his film-making abilities, but anyone can film something gross, and by word of mouth get people to watch it. I can stomach some pretty nasty stuff, but I don't think I will ever be okay with infant/child rape simulations. He just went too far for me.

Re: A Serbian Film

i find myself questioning the motives of the people who made this film.........was it really to highlight their political plight or was it just purely for shock values?

it's all very well saying pushing the boundaries is a good thing......but where do we go from here?the director could quite easily have eluded to what was going on, but instead choose to show the vile acts in explicit detail......why??

Re: A Serbian Film

i find myself questioning the motives of the people who made this film.........was it really to highlight their political plight or was it just purely for shock values?

it's all very well saying pushing the boundaries is a good thing......but where do we go from here?the director could quite easily have eluded to what was going on, but instead choose to show the vile acts in explicit detail......why??

I actually thought of the immediately after watching the guy rape his 8 year old son or however old he was. I thought that this guy was a pedophile and wanted to get something in on film without really being child porn...kinda like Clownhouse by Victor Salva.....he was a pedophile but at the time of filming, no one knew so when the boy took off his underwear after wetting them, and then changed naked, and then another close up shot on his package, no one questioned it until years later when we found out that boy was sexual molested on set and the guy went to jail. Will this director have the same fate? Who knows but it's certainly something I wouldn't say no to.

Re: A Serbian Film

Are you saying you think this film was made by pedophiles?That's a leap I wouldn't be willing to risk. I actually found it interesting how the central character was slowly exposed to elements of children (among other disturbing scenarios) and his reaction to them as things unfolded - seemed necessary to take him (and us) to that questionable mindset and most detestable climax (sorry!).

Re: A Serbian Film

deadhorse13 wrote:

Are you saying you think this film was made by pedophiles?That's a leap I wouldn't be willing to risk. I actually found it interesting how the central character was slowly exposed to elements of children (among other disturbing scenarios) and his reaction to them as things unfolded - seemed necessary to take him (and us) to that questionable mindset and most detestable climax (sorry!).

I'm not making an accusation by any stretch of the imagination. I'm just saying that like with Clownhouse, it could be possible. They could be using the political motives as a mask for pedophile fantasies....who knows? It was just a passing thought. Nothing surprises me anymore, though

Re: A Serbian Film

I really didn't see any kind of glorification in any of the scenarios they depicted, so I think they just wanted to take us to a very personally disturbing place.Hitting home as it were. (sorry again).

Re: A Serbian Film

i find myself questioning the motives of the people who made this film.........was it really to highlight their political plight or was it just purely for shock values?

it's all very well saying pushing the boundaries is a good thing......but where do we go from here?the director could quite easily have eluded to what was going on, but instead choose to show the vile acts in explicit detail......why??

I actually thought of the immediately after watching the guy rape his 8 year old son or however old he was. I thought that this guy was a pedophile and wanted to get something in on film without really being child porn...kinda like Clownhouse by Victor Salva.....he was a pedophile but at the time of filming, no one knew so when the boy took off his underwear after wetting them, and then changed naked, and then another close up shot on his package, no one questioned it until years later when we found out that boy was sexual molested on set and the guy went to jail. Will this director have the same fate? Who knows but it's certainly something I wouldn't say no to.

Re: A Serbian Film

Clownhouse is a cool flick but when you know the lead kid was molested DURING filming and then the obvious shots, it kind of ruins the movie because you're no longer focused on the actually awesome story, you're focused on the fact that this poor kid is being abused.

Re: A Serbian Film

If you think it's tough watching Clown House, try watching either of the Jeepers Creepers flicks (also made by Salva) and trying not to notice how they're basically Salva practicing his perv-freak tendencies vicariously through a monster who drools over good looking boys. Or his fetishistic focus on the lead character in Peaceful Warrior. Or how a group of manly jocks strip down the sickly freak in Powder.

All reasons why I refuse to ever again watch another Victor Salva film. Sick fuck.